Haven't drove the bird in 3+ months, some problems.

Koole · 11-03-2009, 01:07 PM

I've been starting it up every week or so to keep it fresh since the middle of July. Well I started it up yesterday and it kept dying. Only way to keep it alive was to start it and immediately hold the throttle up to 1k RPMs. If I let off, it would bog down to about 400 RPMs then die. I searched the problems on here and found that the IAC, EGR (replaced out of a Mark VIII 5 months ago) or the MAF. I'm kinda noobie at doing the actual labor but I know where everything generally is but I'm just scared I'm gunna mess something up lol.

I unplugged the MAF, cleaned it off (didn't take it off, I don't have the torq piece til later) and plugged it back in. Cleaned my filter, checked my oil (overfull) and tranny fluid just for good measures. Everything is fine, but what would have caused it to do this?

I started it up today and it was a little better. It only died once on me, but I started it again with a little on the throttle and it kept and idled at 800 RPMs so I figure it's back to normal. It kept bogging so I put it up to about 2500 RPMs and I hear something spit out my exhaust! Smooth sailing from there on haha.

I did notice something. After the engine warmed up, my 8th plug wire (upper right on the engine) is covered in oil, and there is smoke from burning oil coming from below it. Obviously this isn't good news but I don't know what to do about it. The plug wires haven't been changed since I started driving this car last year but it's idling fine. Anybody have any idea? I can get pictures if that would help.

I'm hoping it's not a headgasket problem as it has overheated before I changed my thermostat.

theterminator93 · 11-03-2009, 01:16 PM

I'd check the IAC valve to make sure it's in good order first. They get gummed up with carbon and if it's given enough time without moving, the carbon will get hard[er] and stick.

Nitemare · 11-03-2009, 01:23 PM

Sounds like your IAC was sticking, and you have a possible valve cover gasket leak?

Koole · 11-03-2009, 04:20 PM

I REALLY hope that it's not that...even though looking at it more and more that seems to be the problem.

Nitemare · 11-03-2009, 05:41 PM

What's so bad about that? It's an easy fix...

Ken Horner · 11-03-2009, 06:26 PM

I know that my 94 is very sensitive to fresh gas. Runs like poop if it gets too old, and I use nothing but premium 92 octane.

Koole · 11-03-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitemare

What's so bad about that? It's an easy fix...

Anything gasket related scares me. (Been through headgaskets on an older 3.8 bird) So I really didn't know.

The gas in it is fairly new. Plus it's sat for two years before this without being cranked at all then did with 2 year old gas.

EvilMooseofDoom · 11-06-2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koole

I've been starting it up every week or so to keep it fresh since the middle of July. Well I started it up yesterday and it kept dying. Only way to keep it alive was to start it and immediately hold the throttle up to 1k RPMs. If I let off, it would bog down to about 400 RPMs then die. I searched the problems on here and found that the IAC, EGR (replaced out of a Mark VIII 5 months ago) or the MAF. I'm kinda noobie at doing the actual labor but I know where everything generally is but I'm just scared I'm gunna mess something up lol.

I unplugged the MAF, cleaned it off (didn't take it off, I don't have the torq piece til later) and plugged it back in. Cleaned my filter, checked my oil (overfull) and tranny fluid just for good measures. Everything is fine, but what would have caused it to do this?

I started it up today and it was a little better. It only died once on me, but I started it again with a little on the throttle and it kept and idled at 800 RPMs so I figure it's back to normal. It kept bogging so I put it up to about 2500 RPMs and I hear something spit out my exhaust! Smooth sailing from there on haha.

I did notice something. After the engine warmed up, my 8th plug wire (upper right on the engine) is covered in oil, and there is smoke from burning oil coming from below it. Obviously this isn't good news but I don't know what to do about it. The plug wires haven't been changed since I started driving this car last year but it's idling fine. Anybody have any idea? I can get pictures if that would help.

I'm hoping it's not a headgasket problem as it has overheated before I changed my thermostat.

You may be a victim of ethanol-blend fuel separation in your gas tank. That crap has been wreaking havoc in boats (pray for boat owners with resin gas tanks, the ethanol eats resin), motorcycles, power equipment, etc, and carbed vehicles, and the car may be trying to pull in old separated fuel. I hope you don't have a full tank of gas in there....

Koole · 11-09-2009, 12:50 PM

It has less than a 1/4 in it. I just put more gas in it about 2 months ago and never let it sit THAT long. I couldn't stand not to crank it and hear it rumble lol.

decipha · 11-09-2009, 07:55 PM

its something simple

check vac lines for vac leaks

v8_superbirdy · 11-09-2009, 09:05 PM

...i forgot i even owned a tbird i blame it on my mustang

CrystalPistol · 11-11-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koole down below

ive never put premium in it, i didnt in my mark viii either and it drove fine too.

Man, I'm sorry. I looked back, and you're right. I'ld have sworn you said you did, paerhaps I mixed up with something someone else posted.

Sorry 'bout that.

Koole · 11-16-2009, 02:32 PM

ive never put premium in it, i didnt in my mark viii either and it drove fine too. i dont know what the problem is but im thinking it was a clogged exhaust because its back to normal. it doesnt matter considering im not driving it right now anyways. thanks

11-03-2009, 01:07 PM	#1
Koole 5th Gear Poster Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pensacola, Fl Car: 1992 T-Bird Sport Engine: 5.0 HO Age: 19 Posts: 421	Haven't drove the bird in 3+ months, some problems. I've been starting it up every week or so to keep it fresh since the middle of July. Well I started it up yesterday and it kept dying. Only way to keep it alive was to start it and immediately hold the throttle up to 1k RPMs. If I let off, it would bog down to about 400 RPMs then die. I searched the problems on here and found that the IAC, EGR (replaced out of a Mark VIII 5 months ago) or the MAF. I'm kinda noobie at doing the actual labor but I know where everything generally is but I'm just scared I'm gunna mess something up lol. I unplugged the MAF, cleaned it off (didn't take it off, I don't have the torq piece til later) and plugged it back in. Cleaned my filter, checked my oil (overfull) and tranny fluid just for good measures. Everything is fine, but what would have caused it to do this? I started it up today and it was a little better. It only died once on me, but I started it again with a little on the throttle and it kept and idled at 800 RPMs so I figure it's back to normal. It kept bogging so I put it up to about 2500 RPMs and I hear something spit out my exhaust! Smooth sailing from there on haha. I did notice something. After the engine warmed up, my 8th plug wire (upper right on the engine) is covered in oil, and there is smoke from burning oil coming from below it. Obviously this isn't good news but I don't know what to do about it. The plug wires haven't been changed since I started driving this car last year but it's idling fine. Anybody have any idea? I can get pictures if that would help. I'm hoping it's not a headgasket problem as it has overheated before I changed my thermostat. __________________ 1992 Thunderbird Sport

11-03-2009, 01:16 PM	#2
theterminator93 Seasoned PostWhore Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Avon Lake, Ohio Car: 1997 T-bird LX, '94 XR7 Engine: 4.6L SOHC V8, 3.8L Age: 22 Posts: 2,585	I'd check the IAC valve to make sure it's in good order first. They get gummed up with carbon and if it's given enough time without moving, the carbon will get hard[er] and stick. __________________ -Brandon 94 Royal Blue Cougar XR7 winter daily driver: 114k, bone stock! 97 Laser Red Thunderbird LX born 8-2-96: 124k on 8/19/10 Exterior: 35W 6000K HID Projectors 55W Halogen Fogs 17x9 Cobra Rs & Firehawk Wide Oval 255s PBR Brake Upgrade Interior: 150 MPH speedometer Kenwood KDC-MP345U Boston S-85s JVC KS-AX3002 350W powering Panasonic sub Powertrain: PI intake PI cams J-mod 93 octane tune by Lonnie 80mm 04 GT MAF 180° thermostat B&M 24000 GVW tranny cooler K&N conical filter/CAI Waiting to be installed: '93 Mark VIII drive shaft POR-15 for the underbody Next up: 2.5" Mandrel Bent True Duals with Dynomax Super Turbos

11-03-2009, 01:23 PM	#3
Nitemare I have more cowbell. TCCoA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oklahoma Car: 1996 Cougar Engine: 4.6 Age: 20 Posts: 833 View Photo Gallery	Sounds like your IAC was sticking, and you have a possible valve cover gasket leak? __________________

11-03-2009, 04:20 PM	#4
Koole 5th Gear Poster Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pensacola, Fl Car: 1992 T-Bird Sport Engine: 5.0 HO Age: 19 Posts: 421	I REALLY hope that it's not that...even though looking at it more and more that seems to be the problem. __________________ 1992 Thunderbird Sport

11-03-2009, 05:41 PM	#5
Nitemare I have more cowbell. TCCoA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oklahoma Car: 1996 Cougar Engine: 4.6 Age: 20 Posts: 833 View Photo Gallery	What's so bad about that? It's an easy fix... __________________

11-03-2009, 06:26 PM	#6
Ken Horner 4th Gear Poster Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lincoln, NE Car: 1994 Supercoupe Engine: v-6 Posts: 237	I know that my 94 is very sensitive to fresh gas. Runs like poop if it gets too old, and I use nothing but premium 92 octane. __________________ BYE2YOU growing old is inevitable growing up is optional 94 SC 05 PT Cruiser GT Turbo Convert

11-09-2009, 12:50 PM	#9
Koole 5th Gear Poster Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pensacola, Fl Car: 1992 T-Bird Sport Engine: 5.0 HO Age: 19 Posts: 421	It has less than a 1/4 in it. I just put more gas in it about 2 months ago and never let it sit THAT long. I couldn't stand not to crank it and hear it rumble lol. __________________ 1992 Thunderbird Sport

11-09-2009, 07:55 PM	#10
decipha PostWhore Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA Car: 90+ SC x6 Engine: 408w turbo Age: 22 Posts: 1,295	its something simple check vac lines for vac leaks __________________ 408 turbo 5spd

11-09-2009, 09:05 PM	#11
v8_superbirdy Clueless Poster Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: socal Car: 2006 gt premium Engine: 4.6L sohc 3v Posts: 2,462	...i forgot i even owned a tbird i blame it on my mustang __________________ my other ride is an ambulance! 1997 V8 sport - first car - sold 6/7/10 2006 silver mustang gt premiumcustom made grill, frpp shorty headers, pypes cat back exhaust, hurst billet pro shifter,

11-16-2009, 02:32 PM	#13
Koole 5th Gear Poster Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pensacola, Fl Car: 1992 T-Bird Sport Engine: 5.0 HO Age: 19 Posts: 421	ive never put premium in it, i didnt in my mark viii either and it drove fine too. i dont know what the problem is but im thinking it was a clogged exhaust because its back to normal. it doesnt matter considering im not driving it right now anyways. thanks __________________ 1992 Thunderbird Sport

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